Meet the Class of 2013 Whooping Cranes
Hatch-year 2013 of the Eastern Flock
Back to Meet the Cranes 2013

Photo: Int'l Crane Foundation

Mork #57-13 (DAR)

Date
Hatched

June 7, 2013

Gender

Male

Left
Leg

Right
Leg

(VHF
radio transmitter)

Personality and Training: How did he get the name Mork? ICF staff used the theme of TV sitcoms or sitcom characters when they named the new chicks. (A change in the numbering system is under discussion.) Mork is named after Mork the Martian from the old TV show "Mork & Mindy." Mork likes to stay close to the costume and is nicknamed the "baby" of the group.

Mork and the other DAR chicks were costume reared and then transported to Horicon Wildlfe Refuge in early September. The chicks will now spend more time out of a pen and less time with the costume. They will be officially released probably at the end of October to mingle with other wild Whooping cranes and Sandhill cranes. If all goes as planned, the youngsters will follow the older cranes to learn the flock's southward migration route.

The DAR chicks got their legbands and colors on Sept 27. They were released at Horicon NWR on Oct 24, 2013.

Fall 2013, First Southward Migration: #57-13 began migration from the Horicon NWR, Dodge County, WI, around November 15-17. He was reported in Meigs County, Tennessee on the evening of November 20 and remains in the area with thousands of other wild cranes. Well done!

Image: Intl. Crane Foundation

Spring 2014: Male #57-13 DAR remained near the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County, Tennessee, until beginning migration from this location on 17/18 February. He was reported in Jackson County, Indiana, on 19 February and remained in that area through at least 15 March. He was next reported in St. Joseph County, Indiana, on 20 March, Green Lake County, Wisconsin, on 18 April and Shawano/Outagamie Counties later that same day. He remained in Outagamie County through at least 13 May. He was found in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, on 17 June. He moved south into Fond du Lac County on 4-8 July.

Fall 2014: DAR #57-13 (Mork) began migration from Dodge County, Wisconsin around November 13 and was reported in Jackson County, Indiana, on November 19. He stayed there until January 6th or so, and was next detected at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, Meigs County, Tennessee, on 8 January 8th, where he remained.

Spring 2015: Male #57-13 DAR remained in Meigs/Rhea Counties, Tennessee, through at least 3 March 3rd. He migrated back to Wisconsin, where his remains were collected iin Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, on May 19th. His death had likely occurred sometime between May 9 and 11.